The NEA BIG READ 

When was the last time you read the great American classic, To Kill a Mockingbird? Have you ever read it? Here's your chance to explore this great and still extremely relevant novel, whether you're 12 years old or 92!

To Kill a Mockingbird is a renowned American novel that has a rare quality: it can be discovered with excitement in adolescence and re-read into adulthood without fear of disappointment. A great book combines enlightenment with enchantment. It awakens our imagination and enlarges our humanity.

You can celebrate Harper Lee's literary achievement during a month-long celebration in October 2007 called The Big Read and is sponsored by United Way of Salem County. During The Big Read, there will be art and writing competitions, gallery exhibits, luncheons, movie nights and panel discussions. Please support The Big Read by reading the book and participating in the activities!

 Download the Calendar of Events for our 2007
NEA Big Read Program: HERE

Book Review Contest!

During the month of October, the United Way of Salem County, Inc. will be participating in a national program call The Big Read. The Big Read is sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and is designed to promote the reading of great literature. We have chosen to read “To Kill a Mockingbird” and have planned a series of events around this book for October.

Before this program begins we would like to hear from people that have read “To Kill a Mockingbird” or would be willing to read it and to submit a short review of the book. Maybe you were required to read this book while you were in school, maybe you read it as an adult for fun, it may have had a life-altering effect on you or maybe you just believe that it was a good piece of literature. This is your chance to be a book critic!

So, as a precursor to this event we are holding a book review contest. We would ask that you would submit a short book review of “To Kill a Mockingbird” by October 3rd. Please include your name, contact information, and if we could use your review for promotion of this event (with or without your name). Review can be of any length that is needed to express your thoughts on this book and winner will be announced in October at a Big Read event where prizes will be awarded.

Thank you in advance for you participation and we are looking forward to reading your review.

-The United Way of Salem

      *NEA Chairman Dana Gioia (Pictured above) reading his copy of
"To Kill a Mockingbird".